The body of Israel Perez, a 27 year-old resident of Cotton Tree, was found buried in a shallow grave in the Harmonyville Community. The Immigration Dept. employee had been missing for a week until he was found in a shallow grave in the community, which is located at Mile 41 on the George Price Highway, just outside his home village.

Shortly before 8 a.m. on Tuesday, February 6, police were called out to area located a short distance off the side of the highway. In a shallow grave, they found Perez’s body in an advanced state of decomposition. His hands and feet were bound, and he had a plastic bag over his face. It is suspected that his killer or killers may have held him captive for a period of time before he was killed. The cops found stab wounds inflicted to the chest area. They say that his family identified him by certain tattoos he had.

His body was found by a man and his son with whom Perez were friendly. Their residence is close to the location where his body was found, and he told the press that he became concerned when he saw the evening news reports that Perez was missing. He said that he recently saw Perez’s vehicle passing through the area, but he wasn’t the driver. He said that he became suspicious about the use of the vehicle, and so he decided to search the area where he saw the vehicle traveling. About an hour before the cops were called in, they were the first to find his body.

Perez’s common-law wife, Jasmine Arce, told the press that she found out later that he filed for a week of vacation leave, which was supposed to end on Monday, February 5. The last time that his family members communicated with him was through text message. He told them that he was on San Pedro, and he was supposed to be back at the beginning of this work week. When he didn’t show up for work, his colleagues who were informed of his disappearance, got more worried. They say that it was an unusual occurrence that he missed work.

Reports to the press are that his vehicle was found at a home in St. Matthew’s Village. His chain, power wash machine and stereo have also been found. A resident of that house has been detained, and is under investigation for Perez’s murder.

Perez leaves behind a 4 year-old son, who his common-law wife says, he was very close to. She said that she never thought that her son would have to grow up without his dad. After an on-site post-mortem was conducted, the family, friends and co-workers of Perez had to take him to the burying ground in Cotton Tree for an immediate burial.

Perez worked with the Ministry of Health, and recently with the Department of Immigration, as a Nationality Clerk. His co-workers had only good things to say about his personality, and his friendliness with many on staff at the Ministries he worked for.

At this time, there is no motive established for his gruesome killing, and his loved ones are urging police to solve this case and get them justice.